Candidate surname Other names
Centre Number Candidate Number
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 GCE
Friday 12 June 2026
Mark Scheme (Results)
Morning (Time: 1 hour 45 minutes) Paper
reference 9BI0/02
Biology B
Summer 2026
Advanced
PAPER 2: Advanced Physiology, Evolution and Ecology
You must have: Total Marks
Scientific calculator, HB pencil, ruler
Instructions
•• Use black ink or ball-point pen.
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page with your name, 9BI0/02
Edexcel Advanced Level In Biology B
centre number and candidate number.
• Answer all questions.
• Answer the questions in the spaces provided
– there may be more space than you need.
Information
• The total mark for this paper is 90.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets
– use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question.
• Instructure
question(s) marked with an asterisk (*), marks will be awarded for your ability to
your answer logically showing how the points that you make are related or
follow on from each other where appropriate.
Advice
• Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.
• Checkanswer
Try to every question.
• your answers if you have time at the end.
Turn over
P79063APearson Education Ltd.
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*P79063A0136*
, Answer ALL questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided.
Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Some questions must be answered with a cross in a box . If you change your mind about an
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answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .
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(a) (i) Which row identifies bonds present in a molecule of tRNA?
(1)
Hydrogen bonds Phosphodiester bonds
A absent absent
B absent present
C present absent
D present present
Summer 2026
Question Paper Log Number P79063A
Publication Code 9BI0_02_2606_MS
All the material in this publication is
2
*P79063A0236*
, General Marking Guidance
(ii) The sequence of nucleotides in a section of messenger RNA (mRNA)
is AUGACCGGU.
• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the
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What is the sequence of nucleotides on the strand of DNA that was used as a
first candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
template for transcription of this section of mRNA?
(1) • Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded
for what they have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions.
A ATGTCCGGA
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their
B AUGACCGGU perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
C TACTGGCCA • There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme should be
D UACUGGCCU used appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners
(iii) Which of the following statements about the genetic code are correct? should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the
(1)
mark scheme. Examiners should also be prepared to award zero marks if the
1. The code is non‑overlapping candidate’s response is not worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
2. Some amino acids have more than one codon • Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles
3. Some codons do not code for amino acids by which marks will be awarded and exemplification may be limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme
A 1 and 2 only
to a candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
B 1 and 3 only • Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has replaced it
C 1, 2 and 3 with an alternative response.
D 2 and 3 only
(b) Describe how translation at a ribosome produces a polypeptide.
(3)
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 1 = 6 marks)
3
*P79063A0336* Turn over
, Question Answer Mark
2 The diagram shows part of the cell surface membrane. Number
1(a)(i) The only correct answer is D present present
1
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X A is incorrect as hydrogen bonds are present
B is incorrect as hydrogen bonds are present
C is incorrect as phosphodiester bonds are present
Y
Question Answer Mark
Number
(a) Name the parts labelled X and Y.
(1) 1(a)(ii)
The only correct answer is C (TACTGGCCT) 1
X ............................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................................. ........................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A is incorrect as the sequence is not complementary
Y . ........................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B is incorrect as it contains U
(b) Plant root hair cells take up nitrate ions. These ions are used to D is incorrect as it contains U
synthesise molecules.
(i) Which row identifies biological molecules that contain nitrogen?
(1) Question Answer Mark
Number
Cellulose DNA ligase enzyme Thymine 1(a)(iii) The only correct answer is C (1,2, and 3)
1
A absent present absent A is incorrect as some codons do not code for amino acids
B absent present present B is incorrect as some amino acids have more than one codon
C present absent present D is incorrect as the code is non-overlapping
D present present absent
(ii) Which one of the following describes the main method by which nitrate ions
can enter cells?
(1)
A active transport from a higher concentration to a lower
concentration using ATP
B active transport from a lower concentration to a higher
concentration using ATP
C facilitated diffusion from a higher concentration to a lower
concentration using ATP
D facilitated diffusion from a lower concentration to a higher
concentration using ATP
4
*P79063A0436*